A really beautiful book entitled "Jewish Cemeteries in Latvia" written by
Mejers Melers has just been published. One of the editors is our Latvian
Archivist Rita Bogdanova.
The book has lovely glossy illustrations and gives historical information
on the cemeteries in Latvian,Russian and English. I was interested to
read in the preface among other points of historical interest that the
first person in the new community was the butcher (Shokhet) and not the
Rabbi. He had ministerial duties as well as his direct duties until the
community was able to afford a Rabbi.
A large map of Latvia has a blue Magen David marking the cemetery
locations. A summary report gives the conditions of the Jewish cemeteries
in Latvia. Only 24 of the 58 surveyed have been maintained or restored and
at least 8 are still in use.
I have asked for details of price and where to buy it and will let you
know when I have it.

Arlene Beare
UK